Gareth Bale looking 'fit and sharp' for international duty with Wales

Gareth Bale looks 'fit and sharp' ahead of Wales' biggest World Cup qualifier in nearly 30 years despite missing El Clasico with a back injury.

The Wales captain was unavailable for Real Madrid's 4-0 home defeat by Barcelona on Sunday but is expected to be involved in Wednesday's play-off with Austria as Rob Page's side try to reach Qatar 2022. 

If Wales win, they must beat either Scotland or Ukraine to seal a World Cup place for the first time since 1958.

Spanish paper Marca insinuated Bale made himself unavailable for club duty despite being well enough for international duty. 

'He's been training with us and looks fit and sharp,' said defender Neco Williams, 20. 

'We all know what Gareth's capable of. He's a professional and a world-class player so he knows how to look after himself.'

The last time Wales came so close to reaching the World Cup was in November 1993, but they lost to Romania in Cardiff.

Bale, the 32-year-old four-time Champions League winner, has said that reaching a World Cup would enable him to 'tick everything off the list'.

Williams added: 'It would mean everything to us.'